The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Nairobi

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan will hold talks with Kenya's feuding parties on Wednesday to find a rapid solution to a standoff over a disputed election that erupted into a bloody political crisis. The 69-year old African statesman faces a tough challenge resolving the bitter impasse between Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition challenger Raila Odinga that shattered the east African nation's reputation for stability and democracy. "We expect all parties to enter into dialogue in good faith and to seize this opportunity to end the suffering and uncertainty," Annan told reporters after landing in Nairobi late on Tuesday. At Annan's request, the opposition will call off street protests planned for Thursday, two senior sources from the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said on Wednesday. "Annan has told us he will request no more street protests while he is here, and I can tell you we will not be objecting to that. We will accede," said a senior aide to opposition leader Raila Odinga. A second senior aide confirmed the decision. Earlier protests erupted in bouts of looting and police shootings decried by rights advocates as excessive.